"beloved, darling"
Origin: Hebrew Dawid from dod
Language: Hebrew
David
Pronunciation: [ d-AYV-ihd ]
Boy Name
#31 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
The shepherd king — beloved across three faiths
Hebrew
English
Spanish
French
Scottish
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Royal
Spiritual
Meaning & Origin
"beloved, dear"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"friend, darling"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
The Story of David
David comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid,' derived from 'dod' meaning 'beloved' or 'dear.' In the Hebrew Bible, David is the second king of Israel, the slayer of Goliath, a poet who wrote many of the Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus. His story — from shepherd boy to king — is one of the most powerful narratives in world religion, giving David a name of profound spiritual weight across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
David was the #1 boys' name in the United States from 1954 to 1960 and remained a top-10 name for several decades. While it has settled into the top 25-30 today, it remains one of the most enduringly popular names in the English-speaking world, trusted across generations.
King David is venerated in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Michelangelo's David (1504) is considered the greatest sculpture of the Renaissance. The Star of David is the central symbol of Judaism and the modern state of Israel. Few names carry cultural weight across three major world religions as David does.
Fun Facts
- David was the #1 name in the US for 7 consecutive years in the 1950s and 1960s
- Michelangelo's David, carved from a single block of marble, stands 17 feet tall and took two years to complete
David in Other Languages
Arabic
Dawud
French
David
Hebrew
Dawid
Russian
David
Spanish
David
Famous People Named David
D
David Beckham
Athlete
1975
English football icon, co-owner of Inter Miami CF, and global cultural figure
D
David Bowie
Musician
1947
English rock star and cultural icon, known for Ziggy Stardust and decades of genre-defining music
D
David Attenborough
Other
1926
British broadcaster and natural historian behind Planet Earth
K
King David of Israel
Religious
Second king of the united Kingdom of Israel, author of Psalms, slayer of Goliath — one of the most important figures in ...
Second king of the united Kingdom of Israel, author of Psalms, slayer of Goliath — one of the most important figures in the Abrahamic religions
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #31
- Total SSA Count
- 7,317
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Spanish French Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dave
Davie
Davo
Pairs Well With
David James
David Michael
David Robert
David Thomas
David Andrew
David John
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
David is also used as a girl name, ranked #24355.
View David as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with David and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how David sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About David
What does the name David mean?
"beloved, darling" (from Hebrew Dawid from dod). "beloved, dear" (from Hebrew). "friend, darling" (from Hebrew). David comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid,' derived from 'dod' meaning 'beloved' or 'dear.' In the Hebrew Bible, David is the second king of Israel, the slayer of Goliath, a poet who wrote many of the Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus. His story — from shepherd boy to king — is one of the most powerful narratives in world religion, giving David a name of profound spiritual weight across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What is the origin of the name David?
David has Hebrew Dawid from dod, Hebrew, English, Spanish, French, and Scottish origins. In Hebrew Dawid from dod, it means "beloved, darling". In Hebrew, it means "beloved, dear". In Hebrew, it means "friend, darling".
Is David a boy or girl name?
David is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #31. As a girl name, it is ranked #24355. David is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce David?
David is pronounced d-AYV-ihd.
How popular is the name David?
David is currently ranked #31 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for David?
Common nicknames for David include Dave, Davie, and Davo.
What are good middle names for David?
Popular middle name pairings include David James, David Michael, David Robert, David Thomas, David Andrew, and David John.
What are good sibling names for David?
Names that pair well with David as siblings include Jonathan, Hannah, Samuel, Rachel, Benjamin, and Sarah.
How many syllables does David have?
David has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is David a common or rare name?
David is a very popular name, ranked #31 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name David
David is a boy name with Hebrew, English, Spanish, French, and Scottish origins . The name means "beloved, darling" in Hebrew Dawid from dod .
Is David a boy or girl name? David is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #31 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,355. David is more commonly used as a boy name.
David is currently ranked #31 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name David has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYV-ihd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for David include Dave, Davie, and Davo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of David include Davis, Davion, Davian, Davi, Davin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.